Paper-feeding machine.



No. 656,338. Patented Aug. 28, |900 T. c. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheoi I.

(No Modai.)

"2a 9 2 u v2/99 WEN mm W M lzfinesses m: NORRIS PETERS co, mom-mumWASHINGTON. n. cy

No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900.

T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899,) (K0 Medal.) I3 Sheets$h00t 2.

WITNESSES //v VEN TOR A TTOPNE rs TNE mums wnzns co womunwn WASNINGTON.u c

No. 656,838. Patented. Aug. 28,1900. T. c. DEXTER. PAPER FEEDINGrMACHI-NE;

' (Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.) (No Model.)

l3 ShaetsSheet 3.

W/TNESSES I IN VE N 7'0/1? fix W gig 64 W? B) A Trap/VH8 No. 656,838.Patented Aug 28, I900,

T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER FEE'DIN-GMAGHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, I899.)

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I g (Q ml! IIIIHW WITNESSES IN VENTOH mm. W mama/M No. 656,838. PatentedAlig. 23, I900.

T. c. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. (Application filed Sept 21,1399.

(No Model.) [3 Sheats$huet 5.

WITNESSES /-N VEN 70/? ms NOR'HS PETERS cc, mom-mum" msnmsmn, n. c.

No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900. T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. (Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) BSheets-Sheet 6.

I|I' G3 I Q a (m Q Q a G $5. v-. I

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N0. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900.

T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed 55. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) 13 Sheets8heet 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? 'No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900.

T. c. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.) v

(NuModeL) l3 Sheets--Sheet 8.

WITNESSES IN VENTOH No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900..

T. c. DEXTER. I

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sephfll, 1899.) (No Model.) l3'SheetsSheet 9.

' in 1 l @607 282 65 6,; Ma

WITNESSES lNVENTOH 'No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900. T. c. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet ID.

(No Model.)

/NVENTOH HORNE Y8 No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28, I900.

T. G. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.)

(No Modal.)

E H N 0 R wf m 3; m A @R @Q w RN in d W/TNE SSE S No. 656,838. PatentedAug. 28, I900.

T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

(Appliciation file? Sept. 21, 1899.) (No Model.) l3 Shaets-Sheei 12.

WITNESSES N VE N TOR W V HZZQK No. 656,838. Patented Aug. 28', I900. T.C. DEXTER.-

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. (Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.) (No Model.)

LAM

W/TNESSES: INVENTOR rm/mars Ni ric" ST frEs PATENT OFFICE,

TALBOT C. DEXTER, OF PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK.

PAPER- FEED l NG MACHINE,

:EPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,838, dated August28, 1900.

To alt wit/0m itrmcty concern.-

Be it known that I, TALBOT O. DEXTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pearl River, in the county of Rockland and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-FeedingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in paper-feedin g machines of thesheet-buckling type, in which the successive sheets of paper in anautomatically-adjustable pile are buckled and separated from the pileand then fed off from the pile to the printing-press, paper-foldingmachine, ruling-machine, or other machine designed to operate upon thepaper. Examples of this type of paper-feeding machine which my presentmachine resembles in general construction are found in Patents Nos.623,769 and.623,770, granted to me April 25, 1899, and my presentinvention may be considered as an improvement upon the style ofmachineshown in said patents, my object being to improve and simplifythe structure and operation of the essential parts of such machines.

My invention relates, first, to a simplified form of sheet-bucklingmechanism. The improved sheet-buckling mechanism has the usualholding-down finger and buckling-finger mounted upon anadjustably-supported frame, but differs from former devices in theemployment of a novel form of controlling device for the buckling-fingerand novel automatically-adj ustable buckler-operating mechanism. Thecontrolling device for the buckling-finger consists of a cam-operatedlever, which is forced into engagement with an antifriction-rollerjournaled upon the heel of the buckling-finger when the buckling-fingeris moving rearwardly to hold the finger away from the pile. When thebuckling-finger moves forwardly, its spring holds it into effectiveengagement with the pile. The buckler-operating mechanism comprises,essentially, a sectional telescoping shaft, the sections of which haveuniversal-joint connec tion With a driving-shaft and a driven shaft,respectively, the driving-shaft being geared toiand operated by the mainpower-shaft of.

the machine, while the driven shaft is journaled upon thebuckler-supporting frame and Application filed Septemberfl, 1899. SerialN0; '73 i N m directly operates the buckler mechanism. By

the em ployment'ofthis automaticallyadjusting mechanism, the parts ofwhich automat a,

i'callyfadjust themselves to suit the adjusted position of the buckler.

My invention relates, secondly, to a simplified and improved form ofautomaticallycontrolled sheet-feeding mechanism. This mechanismcomprises a reciprocating carriage, upon which are mounted the usualspring-pressed push-fingers, an operating device adapted to beautomatically disengaged from the carriage, a sheet-actuated trippercontrolling the disengagement of the operating device from the carriage,means for elevating and lowering the sheet-feeding carriage, and astationary bar or frame-piece which is adapted to engage acontrolling-lever connected with the push-fingers when the carriage iselevated to cause the fingers to be elevated upon the carriagesimultaneously with the elevation of the carriage in the frame of thefeeding-machine. This part of my invention differs from the feeding-offdevices covered by my prior patents in that the carriages andpush-fingers are elevated as a whole after the completion of the forwardstroke, Whereas in the former devices the push-fingers were elevatedfrom the sheet by the operation of a longitudinally-movablecontrolling-bar upon the carriage, said movable bar being controlled bythe sheet-actuated tripper and the carriage-being in some casessubsequently elevated and in other cases allowed to remain in one planeabove the pile. The objections to the devices formerly used are, first,that it requires a great deal of power to shift the bar, owing to theICC).

owing to the fact that the push-fingers at the registered side of thesheet have been elevated and there is nothing to retard saidfirstregistered side of the sheet. By the new arrangement of feedingdevices the push-fingers of both carriages remain in contact with thesheet until the carriages are simultaneously elevated from the paper,the fingers being atthe same time elevated upon the carriage by theengagement of the stationary bar with the controlling-lever. I alsoemploy a novel form of push-finger in which the block of rubber isyieldingly mounted upon the finger and automatically adjusts itself tothe surface of the pile.

My invention relates, thirdly, to means for simultaneously adjusting thefeeding-oif it is mechanical throughout.

mechanism and tripping mechanism transvers'ely of the pile. This part ofmy invention comprises a suitable device for connecting these partswithoutinterfering with their operation.v

My invention relates, fourthly, to an improved sheet-caliperingmechanism, which differs from the calipering device covered by myabove-named Patent No. 623,770 in that p The principle upon which thisnovel mechanical calipering device operates is broadly the same as thedevice covered by said patent and is clearly within the scope of theclaims of said patent, the novel features of construction only beingclaimed in the present case. I also provide in connection with thecalipering device means for arresting the operation of the machine bythe action of a rumpled sheet.

My invention relates, fifthly, to certain features of construction in agoverning device adapted to regulate the height of a pile of sheets.

My invention relates, further, to certain details of construction of thevarious parts of the machine, which will first be described withreference to the accompanying drawings and afterward pointed out moreparticularly in the annexed claims.

The machine covered by my present case differs from the general style ofmachines covered by my above-named patents in that the sheet-separatorat the delivery end of the machine is omitted in the present case.

I have found that the several parts of my present machine operate withsuch accuracy that the separating device of the former machine isunnecessary, the improved mechanicalcalipering device being sufficientlyaccurate to correct any errors of the feeding .devices by arresting theoperation of the machine when more than one sheet happens to passforward under the action of the feeding devices or when a sheet isrumpled or otherwise improperly fed from the machine.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of myimprovedpaper-feeding ma- Ichine, showing the relative positions of the severalparts. Fig. 2 is a detail rear elevation of one of the improvedsheet-buckling mechanisms, showing the bucklingfinger starting on itsinward or active stroke. Fig. 3 is aview similar to Fig. 2, showing thebuckler-finger on its return or inactive stroke. Fig. 4 is a sectionalside elevation of the same looking from the central longitudinal line ofthe machine toward one side. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectionalelevation of one of the sheet controlled mechanisms, showing the partsin the position assumed, when feeding a sheet. Fig. 6 is a similar viewshowing the parts in the position assumed after the feeding stroke hasbeen arrestedjny the automatic tripper and the feeding-carriage andpush-fingers have been elevated. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation, partly insection, of one of the feeder -'carriages. Fig. 8 is a detail plan viewof part of the feeder-carriage and the push-fingers mounted thereon.Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the trippingmechanisms which control the feeding operation of the carriages. Fig. 10is a detail plan View of a part of the same. Figs. 11 and 12 are detailviews of the preferred form of push-finger. Figs. 13 and 14 arerespectively a frontelevation and a detail sectional elevation of themechanisms for simultaneously adjusting the feed mechanism and trippermechanism transversely of the machine. Fig. 15 is a detail sectionalelevation of the sheet-caliperin g mechanism ,also the mechanism fordetecting a ru m pled sheet and a part of a folding-machine to indicatethe relation of these mechanisms thereto. Figs. 16 and 17 are detailviews of the clutch operated by the calipering mechanism. Fig. 18 isaview similar to Fig. 15, showing one of the tripped positions of thecalipering mechanism. Fig. 19 is a detail view showing another trippedposition of the sheet-calipering mechanism. Figs. 20 and 21 are detailviews illustrating a modified adjusting device for the caliperingmechanism. Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the pile-governor mechanism.Fig. 23 is plan View of the same, and Fig. 24 is a detail plan of partof same in inoperative position.

The framework of my improved machine may be of any suitable constructionto properly support the several mechanisms hereinafter referred to and Iwill not specifically describe the same.

The pile P of paper to be fed to the folder, printing-press,ruling-machine, or other machine to operate upon the paper is mountedupon an automatically-ad j ustable table, which is intermittentlyelevated under the control of an automatic device in the manner wellunderstood. The table and elevating-screws are not shown in thedrawings, the improved form of automatic governorfor controlling theheight of the pile, as hereinafter described and illustrated, beingdesigned to operate any approved form of table-elevating mechanism.

A longitudinal'lyadjustable buckler-supporting frame comprising sidebars 1 and a transverse connecting-bar2 is mounted upon the side framesof the machine in substantially the same manner as described in myPatent No. 623,770. This adjustable frame extends forwardly over thepile of sheets to be fed, and mounted upon the transverse bar 2 ofsaid-frame are two sets of my approved adjustable sheet-bucklingmechanisms, one of which I will now proceed to describe.

5 is a casting mounted upon the bar 2 and adjustable thereontransversely of the pile of sheets.

6 is a vertically-adj ustable slide or bracketarm which is verticallymovable in the guideway formed in the rear face of the casting 5 andheldin any desired adjusted position by means of the screw 7, controlledby the crank 8. At the lower end of the vertically-sliding bracket-arm 6is formed a horizontally-extending plate 9, upon the rear faceof whichis formedintegral horizontal flanges 10, forming, with the plate 9, adovetailed guideway for the reception of the horizontally-reciprocatingbuckler slide or carriage 11.

12 is the buckler-finger, journaled upon a bolt 13, which projects fromthe bucklerslide 11.

The buckler mechanism as far as described is substantially the same asset forth in my pending application, filed September 24, 1898,

Serial No. 691,755. 1

15 is a holding-down foot or clamp formed at the forward end of an arm16, which is journaled at 17 in the bracket 18 of the plate 9.

19 is a lever journaled at 20 upon the forward face of the plate 9 andprovided with an antifriction-roller 21, journaled upon a stud uponlever 19. Lever 19 is connected to the heel 23 of arm 16 through themedium of a link 24:.

Journaled in brackets 25, secured to the vertical slide 6, is a shortrotary shaft 27, having keyed to it a cam 28, which intermittentlyengages the antifriction-roller 21 of lever 19 for raising theholding-down foot or clamp 15 from the pile. The holding-down foot orclamp is provided with a torsional spring 29, giving it a normal springtendency to move into engagement with the pile. This torsional spring 29is mounted upon the journal 17 in a manner well understood.

30 is an auxiliary frictional device operating adjacent to theholding-down foot or clamp 15, such as covered, broadly, in my PatentNo. 615,817, granted December 13, 1898.

The buckling-finger 12 is provided with the customary torsional springl2 for forcing it downwardly into engagement with the pile and aheel 31,projecting rearwardly from the bolt 13 and carrying an antifrictionroller 32, which operates in engagement with the straight face 33 of alever 33, which is journaled at 34 to the slide 6. The lever 33 carriesan antifriction-roller 35, which is engaged by a cam 36, keyed to theshaft 27. V r

37 isa long link pivoted at 38 to the upper pitman connecting crank 40with the link 37.

By these means the buckling-finger is raised andlowered and reciprocatedforward and back transversely of the pile in a manner which I will nowdescribe. The rotation of crank-pin 4C1 oscillates the link 37 andcauses it to reciprocate the slide 11, which carries the buckling-finger12. While the bucklingfinger is moving inwardly, the cam 36 beingdisengaged from roller 35, the spring of the buckling-finger will holdit in engagement with the pile. As soon as the finger starts to moveback, however, the cam 36 engages roller 35 and forces lever 33 intoengagement with the heel of the buckling-finger and elevates the finger,the roller 32 traveling upon the straight face 33 while the finger ismoving rearwardly in elevated position.

is the main operating-shaft of the machine, suitably journaled in themachineframe and operated in any suitable manner.

51 is a short shaft journaled in the bracket 52, keyed to the side frameof the machine.

53 54. are worm-gears keyed, respectively, to the shaft 50 and shaft 51and meshing with each other. i

55 is a universal joint connecting the shaft 27 with a shaft-section 56.

57 is a universal joint connecting a hollow shaft-section 58 with theshort shaft 51. The shaft-section 56 telescopes with the shaftsection 58and has a spline connection there with. By means of this sectionaltelescoping driving-shaft communicating mot-ion from the main shaft ofthe machine to the bucklershaft 27 it will be observed'that the bucklermechanism may be adjusted vertically, horizontally, or transversely ofthe machine without requiring a separate adjustment of theoperating-shaft, said telescoping shaft automatically adjusting itselfto the changed position of the buckler mechanism.

It will be understood that two sets of the above-describedsheet-buckling mechanisms are to be used at the opposite rear corners ofthe pile of sheets to simultaneously buckle the rear corners of thesheet.

I will now proceed to describe the improved sheet-feeding devices whichtake the partially-separated sheet after it is buckled and feed it fromthe pile to the drop-rollerordelivery mechanism. There are two of thesesheet-feeding mechanisms arranged in parallel longitudinal planes abovethe pile of sheets; but I will only describe one ofthem, they beingsubstantially duplicates.

Keyed to the main operating shaft 50 within the side frames of themachine,at each side, is a cam 60,upon which operates anantifriction-roller 61, journaled upon a stud 62, projecting from theface of a slide 63. The

slide 63 is mounted in vertical guideways 64, formed in a frame-piece 65of the machine.

The slide 63 is formed with an elongated slot 66, through which theshaft 50 extends, the slot allowing the slide to reciprocate verticallyin the guideways 64.

Mounted rigidly upon the lower end of the slide 63 is a track bar 70,upon which is mounted the horizontally-reciprocating carriage 71. Thecarriage 71 has secured to it a bracket-arm 72, which is capable ofvertical adjustment thereon.

75 75 indicate the push-fingers, which are journaled at 76 in thebracket-arm 72 and are provided at their forward ends with rubber blocks77. The push-fingers are provided with adjustable tension-springs 78,which hold them into engagement with the pile of sheets when they are inoperation.

79indicates heels projecting from the journals 76 of the push-fingers75, which are engaged by lugs or tappets 80, adjustably mounted upon arod 81,whioh is longitudinally movable in brackets 82 of the bracket-arm72. Pivoted to the forward end of the rod 81 is a bell-crank lever 83,which is journaled at 84- to the carriage.

85 is an antifriction-roller journaled in one arm of the bell-cranklever 83.

is a rock-shaft journaled in the side frames of the machine and operatedin any suitable manner.

91 is a rock-arm keyed to the shaft 90 and having journaled to its lowerend a link 92, provided with an antifriction-roller 93,which engages anotch 9t in the upper face of the carriage 71.

95 is a spring connecting the heel 96 of arm 92 with the rock-arm 91.

97 is a longitudinallymovable rack-bar supported upon the carriage 71and formed with a beveled rear end 98, which rests normally directlybeneath the antifriction-roller 93. When the rack-bar 97 is forcedrearwardly upon the carriage 7l,the antifrictionroller 93 of arm 92 islifted out of engagement with the notch 94, thereby effectivelydisconnecting the operating device from the carriage and arresting thefeeding motion of the carriage. The movement of the rack-bar foraccomplishing this purpose is effected by the automatic trippingmechanism, which I will now describe.

100 indicates one of a series of knurled wheels or rollers journaledupon a driven shaft 101 at the forward edge of the pile of sheetsdirectly above the stationary front guides 102. The rollers 100 lift theforward edge of the sheet as it is forced forward by the push-fingers.

103 is one of a pair of circumferentiallygrooved wheels or rollers keyedto a constantly-rotating shaft 104 a little in front of the shaft 101.

105 is a bracket-arm depending from and adjustable upon the slide 63.

106 is a sheet-guiding rod mounted upon the lower end of the bracket-arm105 for confining the sheet within the plane of feed.

107 is a trip-finger journaled at 108 upon the bracket-arm 105. .The'trip-finger 107 is formed with two legs which rest normally within thegrooves of the wheel or roller 103.

109 is an arm projecting from the journal of the trip-finger 107, and110 is a small ad'- justable weight mounted upon arm 109. Journaled tothe heel 111 of the trip-finger is a vertically-extending rod 112, whichpasses freely through an ear 113, formed on the pawl 114, journaled atto a bracket 116, the pawl being located in proper position to engagethe rack-bar 97.

117 is an adjustable nut mounted upon rod 112 and adapted to engage theear 113 for supporting the pawl 114 in inoperative position.

I have found it sometimes desirable to provide thecircumferentially-grooved wheels or rollers with a central ring orportion 103, of rubber or other frictional material, to further insurethe raising and carrying forward of the edge of the sheet. It will beobserved that with this sheet-actuated tripping device the sheet is fedforward by the push-fingers, causing its front edge to engage thetrippers which hold the sheet into frictional engagement with thegrooved rollers and cause said rollers to carry the forward edge of thesheet forward until the tripper-fingers are raised and the push-fingersare arrested.

is a cam-plate secured to frame 65just above the reciprocating carriage71 in position to engage the antifriction-roller 85 when the carriage iselevated by the cam 60, the engagement of said plate with theantifriction-roller causing the push-fingers 75 to be raised upon thecarriage simultaneously with the vertical movement of the carriage awayfrom the pile. This operation takes place immediately after theoperating mechanism has been disengaged from the carriage by thetripping mechanism just described.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown in detail the preferred form ofpush-finger. The finger 75 is formed at its forward end with an angularbracket 125, against which is securely fastened a plate 126 by means ofthe screw 127. 128 is a flat block of soft rubber having a rounded upperend formed by cutting off its upper corners. The block 128 is providedwith a plurality of holes 129, through which a screw 130 is adapted topass for confining the block 128 between the bracket and plate 126, thisconnection allowing at the same time an easy transverse movement of therubber upon the push-fingers to enable it to automatically adjust itselfto the surface of the sheet which is being operated upon. The pluralityof holes allows for a vertical adj ustment of the block upon thepush-fingers, so. that it may be lowered slightly as it becomes worn inuse.

It is very desirable to provide means for the convenient adjustment ofthe automatic tripping mechanism transversely of the machine to suit theadjustment of the feeding mechanism transversely of the machine, and forwhich cooperates therewith.

this purpose I provide mechanism clearly illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14of the drawings. Rigidly secured to the transversely-adjustableframe-piece 64 (in which the feeder mechanism is mounted) is an arm 275,which extends outwardly and downwardly to a point adjacent to the shaft104, where its end is formed into a thin fin 276, which engages thecircumferential groove 277 of the elongated roller 278, which has aspline connection 279 with shaft 104. The roller 278 takes the place ofthe usual conti nnously-rotating roller of the sheet-delivering device.I form the roller of elongated shape to avoid the necessity offrequently adjusting the drop-roller 280 is one of the drop-rollers,which operates as usual, being mounted upon a suitable journal 281,supported in the usual manner in rock-arm 282, keyed to rock-shaft 283,to which a rocking motion is imparted in the usual way. If it becomenecessary to adjust the drop-rollers, the rock-arms may be adjusted upontheir shaft 283. This can be accomplished by reason of the key 284 andset-screw 285. The grooved wheel or roller 103 is formed integral withelongated roller 278, so as to be moved with it. B y adjusting thecarriage-supporting frame it will be clear that the tripping mechanismand under feed-roll of the delivery device will be carried into properadjusted position therewith.

At the delivery end of the machine, in the central longitudinal linethereof, I arrange my improved mechanical sheet-calipering device, whichis designed to accurately caliper the thickness of the successive sheetsas they pass from the machine and automatically shift the clutch forarresting the operation of the machine when an improper thickness ofsheet passes or when a sheet becomes rumpled by the action of thefeed-tapes which convey the sheets to the folder or other machine. Iwill now proceed to describe this mechanism, and in this connectionparticular reference is made to the electrical sheet-calipering devicecovered by my above-named patent, No. 623,770, upon which my presentdevice is an improvement.

Adjacent to one end of the shaft 50 is keyed a cam 135, with whichconstantly engages an antifriction-roller 136, journaled upon the upperend of a rod or bar 137. The rod or bar 137 is formed with a yokeportion 138, which embraces and guides upon the shaft 50. The lower endof the rod or bar 137 is journaled at 139 to the rock-arm 140, which iskeyed to a rock-shaft 141, journaled in the brackets 142 of themachine-frame. The rock-shaft 141 extends transversely of the machine ator adjacent to the central longitudinal line thereof, at which point ithas keyed to it a short rock-arm 143, for the purpose which willpresently appear.

145 is a rock-shaft to which is keyed one of the calipering members 146,which is held normally directly beneath the plane of feed of the sheets.A rod 147 is journaled to the caliperingfinger 146 and passes downwardlythrough a bracket-bearing 148 and carries a spiral expansion-spring 149,which is confined upon the rod 147, between the bracket-bearing 148 anda collar 150 upon the rod. The spring 149 gives the calipering-finger146 a spring tendency to move upwardly into the path of the sheets.

151 is a rock-arm keyed to the shaft 145 and formed with a shoulder 152,which intermittently engages an adjustable screw-stop 153, threaded intothe lug 154 on part of the frame. The screw-stop 153 limits the movement of the calipering-finger 146 under the action of the spring 149when released by the controlling-cam. The arm 151 is also formed with aheel 155, which projects down adjacent to the rock-arm 143, so as to beengaged by said rock-arm to hold the calipering-finger 146 in retractedposition beneath the plane of feed. The rock-arm 143 nor mally engagesthe heel 155 of arm 151 for this purpose and is disengaged for aninstant only during each revolution of the shaft, so as to allow thecalipering member 146 to operate.

is a stationary transverse frame-bar supported above the plane of feed,and 161 is a bracket adjustably mounted upon the bar 160.

162 is a long upright arm journaled to the bracket 161 at 163 and formedwith a rearwardly-projecting curved foot 164, the arm 162 and foot 164being, in effect, a bell-crank lever, with a Very long arm extendingvertically. The foot 164 rests normally just above the plane of feed ofthe sheets and is adjustably supported in this position by means of ascrew-stop 165, threaded into a lug 166 of the bracket 161 and engagingthe vertical face of arm 162.

is a spring connecting arm 162 to bracket 161 for the purpose of holdingthe upper calipering member in position with a yielding pressure. Theupper end of the arm 162 engages and supports a rock-arm 167, which iskeyed to a rock-shaft 168, journaled in the side frames of the machineand provided with means for operating the clutch, hereinafter described,which throws the machine into and out of operation. The rock arm 167 hasjournaled to it an antifrictionroller 169, which operates upon the faceof a cam 170, keyed to the shaft 50.

171 is an arm formed integrally with or rigidly attached to the rock-arm167, and 172 is a weight adjustably mounted upon the arm 17]. forinsuring the downward movement of rock-arm 167, causing the shaft 168 tobe rocked for operating the clutch.

As the calipering-foot 164 above the plane of sheets is directly abovethe calip eringfinger 146, which is below the plane of sheets, it willbe clear that when the finger 146 is allowed to move upwardly toward theshoe 164 the presence of an unusual thickness of sheets between saidmembers 146 and 164will'1ift the member 164 slightly and rock the arm162 forwardly, causing it to disengage the rockarm 167. The rock-arm 167will be suspended in elevated position for an instant until the .lowportion of cam 170 reaches the antit'rictionroller 169, when the rollerwill enter the low portion of the cam and will allow the arm 167, underthe action of weight 172, to drop into this lower position, as shown inFigs. 18 and 19, this movement rocking the shaft 168 and throwing theclutch of the machine, as hereinafter explained.

It sometimes happens that in feeding the sheets over a feeding-machineto the folder, ruling-machine or other machine designed to operate uponthe sheets the feeding-tapes leading from the feeder cause the sheets torumple, and if such rumpling of sheets is .not arrested the succeedingsheets from the .feeder will be rammed into them, causing not only thedestruction of the sheet-s, but sometimes the breaking of the machine.To avoid thisdefect, I provide, in addition to the abovedescribedsheet-calipering device, certain devices for detecting the passage of arumpled sheet, and I will now describe these devices.

Journaled at 175 on the bracket 161 is an arm 176, which curvesdownwardly and forwardly and is formed with a straight portion, which isnormally suspended directly above and parallel with the plane of feed ofthe .sheets. This arm is supported in the desired position by means of ascrew-stop 17 7 ,threaded into a lug 178 and engaging the arm 176, asindicated in dotted lines in Figs. 15 and 19. Journaled upon the arm 176is an antifrictionroller 179, which normally rests in engagement withthe face of the arm 162. When a sheet becomes rumpled uponthe'feed-tapes beneath the arm 176, said arm will be moved upon itsjournal 175, causing the antifrictionroller 179 to engage and rock thearm 162 from the rock-arm 167 with the same result as when caliperingthe sheet. I also provide an arm 180, journaled to bracket 161 at 181and extending beyond the arm 176 to the folding-machine or other machineto which the sheets are to be fed, said arm 180 having a horizontalportion normally supported above and parallel with the feed-tapes thesame as the arm 176. The arm 180 is formed with a rearWardly-projectingheel 182, which engages a forwardly-projecting heel 183, formedintegrally with or attached to the upper calipering member 162 to 164.If a rumpled sheet succeeds in passing beneath the detectingarm 176, itwill engage the arm 180 and cause the heel 182 to engage heel 183, andthereby rock the arm 162 out of engagement wit-h the rock-arm 167 tocause the throwing of the clutch and the arresting of thefeeding-machine. 184 is a screw-stop for adjusting the position of thearm 180. In Fig. 19 of the drawings I have shown the arms 176 and 180 inthe position assumed when tripped by the presence of a rumpled sheet,the sheet being shown at X. In the usual operation of this mechanism oneor the other of arms 176 180 arrests the machine; but they seldom operate together, both beingshown in operation in the same figure (Fig. 19)merely for convenience.

In place of relying on the adjusting-screw 153 beneath the plane of feedand in an inconvenient position I prefer to provide an adjustment forthe upper calipering member, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21. In this formof the mechanism the upright arm 162 is made separate from the foot 164,both of these parts being journaled upon the journal 163. The part 164has an upwardly-projecting arm 164, resting alongside the part 162,which is formed with a yoke 164", through which extends a screw-stud164, threaded into part 162. A washer 164 is confined against yoke 164to hold parts 162 and 164 in juxtaposition. The adjusting-screws 164 arethreaded through the ends of yoke 164 and engage opposite sides of thestud 164, and'by means of them the relation of part 164 to part 162 canbe adjusted to a nicety, and as the relation of part 164 to the othercalipering member 146 depends upon the relation of part 162 to part 164the relative adjustment of the calipering members can be accomplished inthis way. Upon the end of shaft 50 outside of the side frame of themachine is a main power-gear 185, having attached to or formed integralwith it one member of the'automatic clutch. This member of the clutch ongear 185 is shown in the form of a cam-shaped shoulder 186, having anotch 187 for the engagement of the clutch-dog 188. The dog 188 isjournaled at 189 to an arm 190, which is adjustably secured to the shaft50, outside of gear 185, by means of a tap-bolt 191. v Formed integralwith arm 190 is a plate or flange 192 for the purpose presently to beexplained. 193 is a spring-arm secured to shoulder 194 of arm 190 andhaving journaled to its free end a small antifriction-roller 195, whichis adapted to engage the angular faces of the lug 196, attached to orformed upon the face of the rear portion of dog 188 to hold the dog inengaged or disengaged position. Keyed to the end of rock-shaft 168 is aclutch-operating arm 197, formed with a depending finger 198, which armand finger are supported in the same longitudinal plane withtheclutchdog 188. Keyed to the rock-shaft 168 inside the side frames ofthe machine is one or more operating rock-arms 199, to one of which maybe connected an operating-rod, such as 200, extending forward orbackward to a convenient point of operation. The rock-arms 199 are forreturning the parts to normal operative position after the machine hasbeen thrown out by the calipering mechanism. Assuming now that thecaliper 146 164 or one of the rum pled sheet-detecting arms 176 180 hastripped the arm 162 and disengaged it from rock-arm 167, as abovedescribed, allowing arm 167 to drop under the action of weighted arm 171when the low portion of cam 170 reaches antifriction-roller 169, therock-shaft 168 will be rocked to throw arm 197 into engagement with thecam-surface 188 of dog 188, thereby forcing the heel 188 of said dogdownwardly into engagement with the plate or flange 192, the nose of thedog being withdrawn from the notch 187 to release the main gear 185 andarrest the operation of shaft 50 and all the operating parts of themachine which are driven therefrom. When the dog is disengaged in thismanner, the spring-arm 193 yields outwardly under the action of angularlug 196 upon antifriction-roller 195, causing said roller to disengagethe under angular face of said lug'and engage its upper angular face forholding the dog in disengaged position. WVhen it is desired to start theoperation of the machine, the rock-shaft 168 is rocked rearwardly by oneof the hand-levers, causing finger 198 to engage the forward end of dog188 and force it downwardly until the lug 188 rests upon the plate orflange 192, the

spring-arm 193 operating, as before, to give the dog a spring tendencyto move into engagement with the other clutch member. Thecontinuously-rotating gear 185 brings the cam-shoulder 186 around intoengagement with the nose of the dog and lifts it slightly till the dogsprings into engagement with the notch to again lock the clutch memberstogether when the machine immediately starts off. When the rock-shaft168 is operated, as described, to throw the clutch members intoengagement, the rock-arm 167 is lifted and (the improper thickness ofsheets having been removed from the caliper or the rumpled sheets frombeneath the detecting-arms) the long rock-arm 162 and caliper-foot 164will automatically return to normal position.

I will now proceed to describe the improved governor and table elevatingmechanism, whereby the height of the pile of sheets may be maintained atthe proper level.

The pilesupporting table (not shown) is mounted, as usual, upon thevertical elevating-screws 205, upon the upper end of one of which iskeyed a ratchet-wheel 206. The screws are geared together in anysuitable manner, (not shown,) so as to rotate in unison for raising bothsides of the table equally.

210 is a rock-arm journaled upon the vertical shaft 205, directlybeneath the ratchetwheel 206. 213 is a rod journaled to the dog 211 at214, said rod 213 extending through an enlarged opening in a lug 215,formed on the rock-arm 210.

216 is a spiral spring surrounding rod .213 and confined by the lug 215to hold the dog 211 yieldingly in engagement with the ratchetwheel 206.

217 is a knob formed on dog 211, by which the dog maybe thrown intoinoperative position against the limiting-lug 218, the spring rod 213being so arranged as to hold the dog in either its operative orinoperative position. In Fig. 22 the dog is shown in operative position,while in Fig. 23 it is shown in inoperative position.

Journaled to the free end of the rock-arm 210 is a reciprocating bar220, which extends rearwardly therefrom and is formed with an end 221,which passes through a bracketbearing 222 and supports the spiralextensionspring 223, which is confined upon the rod in any suitablemanner. The bar 220 is formed with shoulders 224 and 225. Keyed to therock-shaft is a rock-arm 226, carrying at its lower end a stud 227,which is adapted to engage the shoulder 225 of bar 220 and move said barforwardly, compressing the spring 223 and causing the rock-arm 210 tomove with the bar to carry the dog 211 forward and rotate theratchet-wheel 206. When the rock-arm 226 moves rearwardly, the spring223 causes the bar 220 to follow it, except in case the bar isrestrained by the governing mechanism, which I will now explain.

230 is a bracketarm in which is journaled a rock shaft 231, carrying anadj ustablymounted dog 232, which projects normally forward just abovethe bar 220.

233 is an arm keyed to the rock-shaft 231, and 234 is a rod journaled tothe arm 233 and extending downwardly therefrom and journaled at itslower end at 235 to a rock-arm 236, keyed to a rock-shaft 237, journaledin a depending bracket-arm 230. 239 is another arm adjustably secured tothe rock-shaft 237 by means of the set-screw 240, the arm 239 havingjournaled in its end a metal roller 241, which constantly rests upon thesurface of a pile of sheets.

Assuming that the pile of sheets is a little lower than the desiredworking plane, the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 22. Inthis position of the parts the ratchet-wheel will be operated a step ateach forward motion of the rock-arm 226, causing the pile of sheets tobe gradually elevated. As the pile is elevated the arm 239 is raised,and through the medium of rock-shaft 237, arm 236, rod 234, arm. 233,and the shaft 231 the dog 232 is gradually lowered until it rests in thepath of the shoulder 234, when upon the return movement of bar 220 saidshoulder will be engaged by the dog 232 to prevent the further rearwardmovement of the bar 220, the rockarm 226 being allowed free movementrearwardly by reason of the disengagement of stud 227 from the shoulder225. The bar 220 will be held in this position until a sufficient numberof sheets has been fed to lower the arm 239, which causes the elevationof dog 232, each forward movement of rock-arm 226 giving a slightforward hitch to bar 222 to release the dog 232 in case the pile hasfallen sufficiently far.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination, in apaper-feeding machine, of a support for a pile of sheets, with suitableadjustable sheet-buckling mechan- IIO

